Fujiaying Village of Yilong Town in Shiping County, Honghe

I. Core Tourist Attractions

1. Ancient Architecture & Historical Heritage

• Ming-Qing Architectural Complex: The village preserves numerous traditional residences from the Ming, Qing, and Republican eras, featuring layouts like “three-side houses with a screen wall” and “four courtyards with five wells.” Notable examples include Fujia Ancestral Hall (built in the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty) and Zhu Family Old House, showcasing exquisite wood and brick carvings that reflect the migration history of Ming Dynasty military settlements.
• Historical Streets & Alleys: Blue-stone pathways connect century-old bridges (e.g., Yong’an Bridge) and ancient wells, lined with stone-walled houses with gray tiles and carved windows, embodying the water-town charm of southern Yunnan.
• Intangible Cultural Heritage: The Shiping Tofu Making Technique (a national intangible cultural heritage) is still practiced in local workshops, while Yi ethnic customs like Haicai Folk Songs and Cigarette Box Dance are regularly performed.

2. Yilong Lake Ecology & Lake-Island Scenery

• Wetland Landscapes: Adjacent to the Yilong Lake National Wetland Park, the village’s western shore features reeds, summer lotus blooms, and winter migratory birds (e.g., black-necked cranes, Eurasian coots), making it ideal for birdwatching and photography.
• Chirui Lake Island: A 10-minute boat ride from the village reaches Chirui Lake Island (also known as “Little Penglai”), where ancient temple ruins and wild lotuses create a poetic “lake-and-mountain” scene.
• Lakeside Cycling Route: Start from Fujia Camp and cycle along the 15-km west shore greenway, linking wetlands, fishing villages, and rice paddies with viewing platforms for family-friendly outings.

3. Agricultural-Tourism Integration & Rural Life

• Seasonal Farming Experiences:
  • Spring (March–April): Participate in rice planting and enjoy rapeseed flower fields.
  • Summer (June–July): Pick early-season yangmei (bayberries) and blueberries, and savor “Yilong Lake Fish Banquets.”
  • Autumn (September–October): Harvest rice at the “Harvest Festival” and create straw art.
  • Winter (December–February): Dig lotus roots, make cured meats, and experience Lunar New Year customs.
• Heritage Workshops:
  • Tofu Making: Join the full process of tofu production—soaking soybeans, grinding, filtering, curdling, and pressing—at Fujia Camp Tofu Workshop, then enjoy freshly grilled tofu with special dipping sauce.
  • Yi Embroidery: Learn the “Three Red Strips” pattern from local embroiderers to make sachets and handkerchiefs.
• Rural Homestays: Converted from old houses, homestays like “Lakeside Courtyard” and “Farm & Study Inn” offer lake-view rooms and farmhouse meals. Some have private vegetable gardens for guests to pick ingredients and cook homemade dishes.

II. Unique Cultural Events

1. Folk Festivals

• “Walking for Peace” on the 16th Day of the First Lunar Month: A 300-year-old tradition where the entire village visits Chirui Lake Island to pray for peace by walking around the island.
• Torch Festival (24th Day of the Sixth Lunar Month): Yi villagers light bonfires, perform Cigarette Box Dance and Haicai Folk Songs, inviting visitors to join group dances and enjoy roasted whole lamb feasts.
• Tofu Culture Festival (November): Features tofu-making competitions and tofu banquets, highlighting Shiping’s reputation as “the home of China’s best tofu.”

2. Cultural Performances

• Haicai Folk Song Live Shows: In the evening, fishermen perform loud, melodious folk songs from small boats on the lake at the village cultural square, accompanied by light shows that recreate the poetic scene of “Fisherman’s Song on White Waves.”

III. Nearby Attractions

• Yilong Lake National Wetland Park (3 km away): Yunnan’s first plateau lake wetland, offering boat tours to explore “water forests” and the ruins of the ancient “Little Water City.”
• Shiping Ancient City (10 km away): A hub of Ming-Qing architecture, featuring Yuping Academy (a Qing Dynasty school) and the former residence of Yuan Jiagu (Yunnan’s first imperial scholar). Taste local specialties like tofu brain and grilled tofu here.
• Baxin Century-Old Meter-Gauge Railway Station (15 km away): A historic site of the Sino-Vietnamese Railway, known for retro trains, French-style buildings, and 3D murals. It connects to other traditional villages like Bailang and Longgang.

IV. Travel Tips

1. Transportation

• By Car: Drive from Kunming to Shiping County via Kunmo Expressway (3.5 hours), then navigate to Fujia Camp Village (free parking available).
• Public Transit: Take a bus from Shiping County to Yilong Town (20 minutes), then take a motorbike taxi or walk 1.5 km to the village.
• Upcoming Convenience: The Eshi-Hong Expressway, expected to open in 2025, will shorten the Kunming-Shiping drive to 2.5 hours.

2. Accommodation

• Village Homestays: Recommended options include “Fujia Old House Homestay” (120–200 RMB/night) for traditional living and “Lakeside Inn” (200–300 RMB/night) for lake views.
• County Hotels: For more amenities, stay in Shiping County (e.g., “Shiping Hotel”), a 20-minute drive away.

3. Cuisine

• Must-Try Dishes:
  • Shiping Grilled Tofu: Crispy on the outside, soft inside, served with 鱼腥草 (Houttuynia cordata) dipping sauce.
  • Yilong Lake Fish Dishes: Sour soup fish, fried fish strips, using fresh lake-caught fish.
  • Yi Cuisine: Buckwheat cakes, roasted suckling pig, and paogang wine (fermented rice wine).

4. Best Time to Visit

• March–May (Flower Season) and September–November (Harvest Season) offer mild weather and vibrant activities. Winter is ideal for birdwatching, and summer for cool getaways; avoid heavy rains in July–August.

5. Notes

• Village Protection: Respect ancient architecture—no carving or littering. Seek permission before photographing locals.
• Sun & Mosquito Protection: High UV radiation; bring sunscreen and hats. Use mosquito repellent in summer.
• Boat Safety: Choose licensed boats when touring Yilong Lake and wear life jackets.

V. 2025 Travel Updates

• Rural Revitalization Projects: Fujia Camp, along with Renshou and Maomuzui Villages, is developing a “Six Tourism Integration” model (cultural, agricultural, sports, urban, wellness, and smart tourism), adding new agritourism complexes.
• Digital Museum Launch: An online digital museum of traditional villages will offer virtual tours of village history and intangible heritage.
• Festival Upgrades: During the 2025 Spring Festival, Shiping Ancient City will host an “Intangible Cultural Heritage New Year” event, with dedicated Haicai Folk Song and Cigarette Box Dance performances in Fujia Camp for immersive ethnic cultural experiences.